Top 5 home safety hazards

I just got an email from the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission listing the top five home safety hazards. A couple of them were to be expected but there was a surprise or two. You can see the full list and information in the press release but I have paraphrased it here.

Some of the numbers of injuries or deaths may seem small, but in my opinion, one death is too many if it is a direct result of something that can be easily prevented.

1. Magnets- You may have heard of the toys Magnetix being recalled due to pieces being swallowed by small children and causing serious injury. Unfortunately these toys are still being manufactured. While these toys are a serious hazard you may not think about the other magnets around your house. While rare earth magnets present the biggest problem any magnet could cause harm if swallowed. Swallowing magnets has been the cause of 1 Death, 86 Injuries and 8 million magnetic toys recalled since 2005.
2. Recalled products- when a product is recalled there is a reason. If you hear that a product is recalled it is always best to contact the company to get your product repaired or replaced for your safety. Anything can be recalled, from clothes, to dishwashers, to power tools. Each year there about 400 product recalls.
3. Tip over- Furniture can tip. TVs, bookshelves, dressers and other large furniture that is not balanced well, top heavy or not anchored to the wall properly can be pulled over by children and injure or even kill. To prevent tip overs all you need is a simple Furniture Wall Strap made by Safety 1st. By attaching the strap to you wall and your shelf or dresser you can easily prevent this home hazard. A simple shim under the front of book shelves can also help prevent tips overs. Tip overs are the cause of an average of 22 deaths per year; 31 in 2006 and an estimated 3,000 injuries.
4. Windows and window coverings- Children play near windows this can cause a twofold hazard. Cords on window coverings and blinds can get tangled around a child neck. You can help prevent children from getting caught in cords with a simple Window Blind Wind-Up also by Safety 1st. Falls are another very real hazard. There are average of 12 deaths annually from window cords and an average of 9 deaths and an estimated 3,700 injuries to children annually from window falls.
5. Pool and spa drains- The suction from drains can catch and hold a small child or catch and entangle hair. The first step to preventing these issues is always be there when your children are swimming but just watching sometimes is not enough. Be sure drain covers are intact and in place and there are vacuum release systems that can be installed. You can also install an anti-hair snare drain cover to help prevent Hair from being caught in your pool drain. There were 15 injuries and 2 fatalities reported from 2002-2004.

So the lesson to be learned here is keep an eye open at all times and be smart about the world your children live in. When you buy a toy ask yourself, "Is this really safe?". Just because its on the shelf doesn't always mean that you should take it home. The USPC does the best it can to get harmful products removed from stores but many get sold before the recall gets announced. Make sure your window covering cords are beyond your child's reach and not looped. Secure furniture to walls if needed to ensure your child safety. Above all, be alert, nothing can take the place of a vigilant parent.

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